THE required amount of money to ensure Bournemouth Air Festival can go ahead this year has not yet been made, BCP Council has confirmed.
The authority says the air festival will only go ahead later this year if £100k is raised from businesses, sponsorships, donations or other external sources.
The authority will contribute £200k to the now three-day event scheduled to start at the end of August to break even.
Cllr Mike Cox, portfolio holder for finance, said “good progress” has been made to raise funds for the air festival and that BCP Council is “ahead of schedule” for its fundraising target.
He added: “Our teams are working hard to secure further financial commitment for the festival through the great opportunities it offers and look forward to hearing from interested parties.”
It was previously said by Cllr Andy Martin that “some extraordinary names” of businesses have put themselves forward to contribute to this year’s festival.
Read more: Bournemouth Air Festival has been a 'fantastic few days'
It currently costs the authority between £400k and £500k to fund the typically four-day event.
But the council will not be funding the air festival from 2025 onwards as it continues to fix its finances.
This means the only hope of an air festival in 2025 is if it is funded solely by external organisations.
BCP Council is now inviting sponsors, traders and exhibitors to come forward to register interest in being part of this year’s festival, which has the largest single audience of any aviation event in Europe.
Cllr Millie Earl, portfolio holder for tourism, said: “The festival has the potential to bring a wealth of opportunities, whether your business is local, national or international.”
If £100k is raised in time, this year’s event will take place from August 29 to 31, with an extra day on Sunday dedicated to stalls and 'family fun' but no flights.
Council leader Vikki Slade has previously said: “My door is open to any local, national or international business who would like to come in and work with us.
“We are really keen to hear from you. Please do not wait to be called, call us.”
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